A $3 million Worcester Wayfinding Initiative to direct tourism with 275 new signs and tourist kiosks

Jul 14th, 2014 by Mark at PocketMaps

A $3 million Worcester Wayfinding Initiative to direct tourism with 275 new signs and tourist kiosks demonstrates how cities, colleges, and events are embracing the importance of Wayfinding.

Wayfinding

Wayfinding as a concept has been around since the beginning of time. Animals created trails to find their way to water and food. In modern times, wayfinding refers to the formal concept of building "sensory clues" into buildings, cities, and campuses.

It includes the use of signage and maps to make it easier for people to get from point A to point B.

Worcester Project

In the case of Worcester, the second largest city in New England and known as the "heart of the commonwealth," city planners determined that a new and formal wayfinding system was "essential for growth, particularly in the area of cultural tourism and economic development."

The city hosts nearly 3 million visitors each year and offers multiple cultural attractions including The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts and Worcester Union Station.

Other City Wayfinding Projects

Other cities creating formal wayfinding systems include Austin, TX. Where the systems are intended to make it "easier for residents, commuters and tourists to find Downtown Austin destinations and attractions," Alexandria, Va. with an "implementation of a comprehensive citywide signage system," and New York City that launched a "WalkNYC program in the summer of 2013."

Nearly every major city in the world is embracing the concept of a formal wayfinding system to make it easier for citizens and visitors to navigate their way to tourist attractions, transportation, public buildings, shopping and more.

Please contact us to learn how we can enhance your campus, event or city wayfinding initiative. We are Pocket Maps, and we get you there in a straight line!